Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope

Taiwan Lantern Festival

Joseph, a winner of the 2013 Taiwan Tourism Festival Awards, deepens his understanding of Taiwan and its people by criss-crossing the island during the Taiwan Lantern Festival. A celebration of light, culture and tradition, the festival is a Chinese holiday more than 2, 000 years old. Joseph discovers that while the Taiwan Lantern Festival has its electric side, it also values the human touch. While the festival showcases the country's modern, technological side, it also honors its historic customs and traditions. Joseph explores these cultural connections at the national display of lanterns in Hsinshu, in historic temples and at street-side puppet shows, by enjoying traditional foods and, in the mountain district of Pingshi, by joining in the poignant release of thousands of sky lanterns which carry the wishes and dreams of locals and visitors heavenward.